American Rescue Plan Act provisions affecting exempt organizations

Published On: March 17th, 2021|By |Categories: RSM, Article, Nonprofits|5.8 min read|

TAX ALERT  | 

Authored by RSM US LLP

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the Act) into law. The Act (P.L. 117-2) provides $1.9 trillion in funding for relief and recovery from the COVID-19 public health and economic crises and contains numerous provisions affecting tax-exempt organizations.

For further detail and in-depth discussions of the Act, please read RSM’s comprehensive guidance.

Loan and grant programs

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) modifications

The Act appropriates an additional $7.25 billion to the Small Business Administration for purposes of carrying out the PPP. In addition, it expands the organizations and entities eligible to receive PPP loans. However, the Act does not appear to extend the March 31, 2021, program deadline.

The Act expands PPP eligibility in two ways for nonprofit organizations. First, all organizations described in section 501(c), except for organizations described in section 501(c)(4), are eligible to receive PPP loans if they otherwise meet the eligibility criteria. Second, certain nonprofit organizations qualify for a per physical location employee threshold, which permits an organization with more than one physical location to qualify for PPP provided that the employee threshold is not exceeded on a per physical location basis. The Act does not contain an effective date for these changes and open questions remain as to whether the SBA will interpret them as retroactive “fixes” or prospective expansions.

Entity type

Employee threshold

Per physical location employee threshold

Lobbying limitations

501(c)(3)

500

500

None

501(c)(19)

500

None

None

501(c)(6)

300

None

  • Lobbying income = 15% of gross receipts
  • Lobbying activities = 15% of total activities
  • Lobbying expenses = $1,000,000

All other 501(c)

(other than 501(c)(4)

300

300

 

Shuttered Venue Operator Grants (SVOGs) 

The Act appropriates an additional $1.25 billion to the SBA to carry out the SVOG program, of which $500,000 is restricted to provide technical assistance to help applicants access the System for Award Management (SAM), a successor, or an alternative grant application system. Nonprofit organizations may qualify for SVOG funds if they meet the eligibility criteria for performing arts venues or “relevant” museums, which include aquariums, zoos, and other similarly situated organizations.

The Act removes the limitation that SVOG recipients are ineligible to receive PPP loans after Dec. 27, 2020. Prior to this change, potential SVOG applicants needed to decide between the two programs. As a result of this modification, any PPP funds awarded after Dec. 27, 2020 to an SVOG applicant will simply reduce the amount of SVOG grant dollars the applicant may receive.

Exempt organizations as employers

Employee Retention Credit

The Act extends the employee retention credit (ERC) to Dec. 31, 2021, with certain modifications applicable to wages paid after June 30, 2021:

  • A large employer that is severely financially distressed (more than a 90% decline in gross receipts) can use the small employer “all employee wages” rule in determining the credit.
  • The “Recovery Startup Business” provision allows a company that began carrying on a trade or business after Feb. 15, 2020 that is not otherwise eligible for the ERC under either the gross receipts or the governmental order tests to receive up to a $50,000 maximum credit per quarter. To qualify under this provision, average annual gross receipts for such employer under section 448(c)(3) for the up to three-year period before such quarter may not exceed $1 million. In addition, only wages up to $10,000 can be counted for the quarter and it appears the $7,000 limit also still applies.
  • Five-year statute of limitations period.

Paid sick leave and paid family leave credits

The Act extends tax credits for employer-provided paid sick and family leave established under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) through Sept. 30, 2021. Effective April 1, 2021, vaccination-related events constitute eligible leave reasons, and wages covered by the paid family leave credit to increases to $12,000 per worker, from $10,000. The Act also implements a five-year statute of limitations and nondiscrimination rules for the paid leave eligible for the credit. 

Unemployment benefits

The Act extends through Sept. 6, 2021 most unemployment provisions originally enacted as part of the CARES Act. Included among these extensions is the unemployment reimbursement for nonprofit and government employers. In addition, from April 1, 2021, through Sept. 6, 2021, the reimbursement rate increases from 50% to 75%.

Do you have questions or want to talk?

Call us at (800) 232-9547 or fill out the form below and we’ll contact you to discuss your specific situation.

  • Topic Name:
  • Should be Empty:

This article was written by Alexandra Mitchell, Morgan Souza and originally appeared on 2021-03-17.
2020 RSM US LLP. All rights reserved.
https://rsmus.com/what-we-do/services/tax/federal-tax/american-rescue-plan-act-provisions-affecting-exempt-organizatio.html

The information contained herein is general in nature and based on authorities that are subject to change. RSM US LLP guarantees neither the accuracy nor completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for results obtained by others as a result of reliance upon such information. RSM US LLP assumes no obligation to inform the reader of any changes in tax laws or other factors that could affect information contained herein. This publication does not, and is not intended to, provide legal, tax or accounting advice, and readers should consult their tax advisors concerning the application of tax laws to their particular situations. This analysis is not tax advice and is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on any taxpayer.

RSM US Alliance provides its members with access to resources of RSM US LLP. RSM US Alliance member firms are separate and independent businesses and legal entities that are responsible for their own acts and omissions, and each are separate and independent from RSM US LLP. RSM US LLP is the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax, and consulting firms. Members of RSM US Alliance have access to RSM International resources through RSM US LLP but are not member firms of RSM International. Visit rsmus.com/aboutus for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International. The RSM(tm) brandmark is used under license by RSM US LLP. RSM US Alliance products and services are proprietary to RSM US LLP.

RSM

Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP is a proud member of RSM US Alliance, a premier affiliation of independent accounting and consulting firms in the United States. RSM US Alliance provides our firm with access to resources of RSM US LLP, the leading provider of audit, tax and consulting services focused on the middle market. RSM US LLP is a licensed CPA firm and the U.S. member of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms with more than 43,000 people in over 120 countries.

Our membership in RSM US Alliance has elevated our capabilities in the marketplace, helping to differentiate our firm from the competition while allowing us to maintain our independence and entrepreneurial culture. We have access to a valuable peer network of like-sized firms as well as a broad range of tools, expertise, and technical resources.

For more information on how Insero & Co. CPAs can assist you, please call (800) 232-9547.

Share

Subscribe

Join our mailing list for insights and tools to help you achieve your goals delivered right to your inbox.

Go to Top